For centuries, the festival of Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great reverence in India. Shri Krishna was born as the eighth child of Mother Devaki on Ashtami of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada. The Lord had incarnated to free the earth from the terror of Kansa. Every year, people celebrate the festival of Krishna Janmashtami on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada. They bathe and dress the idols of baby Krishna born at midnight, then place them in a cradle. After this, the devotees break their fast by distributing food and sweets. Women make small footprints outside their kitchen doors and walk towards their homes, symbolizing the arrival of Krishna in their homes.
Significance of Krishna Janmashtami
Hindus consider Lord Krishna an incarnation of Vishnu. This is the reason why this festival holds special significance. People observe fast on this day, worship Lord Krishna, and follow the law to get his blessings. People make special decorations in the temples to celebrate the festival of God with special enthusiasm. Some places celebrate Dahi-Handi. All the people gather in the temples and perform special puja at midnight to commemorate the Lord’s birth anniversary.
Some communities celebrate the legends of Krishna as Makkan Chor (butter thief).
Hindus celebrate Janmashtami by fasting, singing, praying together, preparing and sharing special meals, night awakenings, and visiting Krishna or Vishnu temples. Major Krishna temples organize the recitation of ‘The Bhagavata Purana’ and ‘Bhagavad Gita’. Many communities organize dance-drama programs called Raas Leelas or Krishna Leelas. People particularly popularize the tradition of Raas Leela in the Mathura region, in the northeastern states of India such as Manipur and Assam, and in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Several teams of amateur actors perform these drama-dance dramas, cheered by their local communities, beginning a few days before each Janmashtami.
